Outfits You Can Wear With Sneakers

Here Are Five Pro Tips For Dressing Up Your Sneakers Like A Boss

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Gone are the days when sneakers were confined to sportswear. Today’s variety show up everywhere, from the red carpet, on men like Pharrell, to museums as works of art. While we can’t imagine dressing without them, there is room for error (after all, we’re not all as with-it as Pharrell). To make sure you’re getting it right — for the right occasion — we put together five outfits you can wear with sneakers.

Work/Casual Fridays

Whether you work in a laid-back office or are restricted to casual Fridays, you can wear sneakers, but the key is to keep them clean. And by clean we don’t just mean free from dirt and marks, but from excessive design details — in other words, save your neon, Nintendo-print, limited-editions for downtime. Instead, look for a classic sneaker with slim lines and a leather upper in a sophisticated color, like this suede pair by 1901. Wear them with office essentials like Theory’s straight-leg pants in black and J.Crew’s short-sleeve oxford shirt in white. Note: Leave the socks at home and cuff your pants to reveal a bit of ankle. Finally, a sleek black backpack, like the Expo by Frank And Oak, is the answer to the modern-day man bag. Bonus (remember those?): it’s water resistant.

The Weekend

When the weekend rolls in, you want to dress comfortably but you don’t want to look like a couch potato. Fortunately, the words casual and style can coexist in one look, and the foundation is in the footwear. Start with a pair of tried-and-true sneakers, like these Vans Authentics, but get ’em in leather. Not only is it an easy way to elevate your look, but they’ll last longer than canvas. Next, choose a jean you could live in all weekend. We’re really excited about the Levi’s 501 Skinny jean, because it combines all of the details of the classic 501s with a much-needed slimmer fit. The Hillman wash pairs well with this simple gray pocket tee from J.Crew. Adding a belt, like this one by leathersmith Maximum Henry Cohen, who sews and constructs his belts by hand in New York City, grows the entire look up.

Date Night

Guys often get lost when dressing to impress, because there’s more to think about: shirts, ties, belts, etc. Less is more, and less can look a lot cooler. These black leather low-tops by Frank And Oak almost evoke the sophistication of a dress shoe. French brand A.P.C. has a cult following, and it’s easy to understand why: it gets that less-is-more thing very right. For nighttime, go dark. Try its Petit Standard slim-fit selvedge jean in indigo with this basic white tee by UNIQLO and top with a well-tailored blazer. When you reach into your back pocket to pick up the check, pull out a slick-looking wallet. We like this one by Perry Ellis, which happens to cost less than dinner (but your date doesn’t need to know that).

The Beach

You know what you don’t need to spend a lot of time thinking about at the beach? What you’re wearing. Keep things light with a pair of sneakers that come off as easily as they go on. We like Vans’ Classic slip-ons in pale pink; they’re a nice contrast to UNIQLO’s active shorts in navy that double as swimwear. When day turns into night, throw on this henley by one of our favorite Los Angeles-based brands, Matiere. This shade of blue is flattering on everyone, and looks even better against a tan. Here’s more good news about dressing for the beach: don’t waste your big faces on sunglasses, because they tend to get dirty or forgotten at the beach. Opt for the fast-fashion variety, like these round, tortoiseshell ones by Topman that come in at $20.

The Gym/Gym-Inspired

What’s an article about outfits to wear with sneakers without including the gym? Today’s sportswear is so good-looking that it takes you from the gym to the streets in style. Start with Nike’s Flyknit running shoe — they’re unbelievably lightweight. If your sweats make you look like you’ve given up on yourself, now’s the time to update them with a narrower fit. Try UNIQLO’s sweatpants that are only $30, and pair with a basic tank. When you break into a sweat, keep the funk under control by wearing no-show socks; they’ll help keep your cool.

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